Rebecca Knows The Truth
The waiting room was heavy with silence. Rebecca sat rigidly, Alexander beside her with a tense expression, and Ivy paced near the window. Jesse stood apart, arms crossed tightly, staring at the floor as if willing the news to come faster.
Dr. Maxwell finally walked in, still in her scrubs, looking exhausted but composed.
Everyone stood up at once.
"It's a boy," she said with a small, tired smile. "Healthy, though a bit premature. He's in the NICU for observation, we'll keep him there for about three weeks to monitor his breathing and feeding. He's strong, though. He's doing well."
A collective breath of relief went through the room. But Jesse's eyes were locked on the doctor, waiting for the part that mattered most.
"And Emery?" he asked, voice rough and urgent.
Dr. Maxwell sighed, her expression turning serious.
"She lost a significant amount of blood from the abruption.
We're arranging a transfusion right now.
She's stable, but... she's in a temporary coma.
Her body needs time to recover from the trauma and blood loss.
We expect her to wake up soon. Probably within the next twenty-four to forty-eight hours, but we're monitoring her closely. "
The doctor gave them a nod and left to attend to other patients.
The moment she was gone, Jesse's legs gave out. He sank into a chair, head falling into his hands as deep, broken sobs tore from his chest.
Alexander placed a hand on his shoulder, trying to comfort him. "Jesse... she's going to be okay. The doctor said she'll wake up soon. Breathe, brother."
But Jesse couldn't stop. His shoulders shook violently as tears streamed down his face. "If something happens to her... if I lose her because of Harper... I can't... I can't do this without her..."
Rebecca watched her son with growing confusion and suspicion. Her eyes narrowed.
"Jesse," she said sharply, "why are you crying like this? Alexander's wife is in surgery and you're falling apart more than he is. What is going on?"
Jesse slowly lifted his head. Tears continued to fall, but his eyes burned with raw honesty. He stood up, facing his mother directly, voice trembling but clear.
"Because she means everything to me, Mom," he said, the words finally breaking free after years of silence.
"Emery isn't just Alexander's wife. She's the woman I've loved for three years.
In secret. Because I was a coward who was scared of how this family would treat her.
The baby... he's mine. Not Alexander's. He's my son.
And I have been dying inside every single day watching her carry him while pretending I'm just her brother-in-law. "
The room went deathly silent.
Rebecca stared at him, stunned, her face pale with shock. "What... what did you just say?"
Jesse's voice cracked but he didn't stop.
"I loved her. I still love her. I was with her before the wedding.
That's why the timing matches. I asked for a break because I was terrified you and Harper would destroy her if you knew.
And now... now she's fighting for her life and our son's life because Harper dragged her here like an animal.
If I lose them because of this family's cruelty. .. I don't know what I'll do."
Alexander and Ivy looked down, already knowing the truth. Rebecca remained speechless, mouth slightly open, processing the bombshell that had just shattered everything she thought she knew.
Jesse wiped his tears roughly, voice breaking one last time.
"I'm sorry, Mom. But I can't hide it anymore. Not when they're both fighting to survive."
The waiting room fell into stunned silence once again.
The truth was finally out.
And nothing would ever be the same.
×××××××
The hospital cafe was nearly empty at this late hour. Rebecca sat at a corner table, staring into a cup of untouched coffee, her face etched with exhaustion and conflicting emotions. Ivy approached with two fresh cups and sat down across from her mother.
"Mom," Ivy said gently, sliding one cup toward her. "Drink this. You've been running on empty since morning."
Rebecca took the cup but didn't sip. She simply held it, eyes distant.
Ivy leaned forward, voice soft but firm. "I know this is a lot to take in. Jesse and Emery... the baby being his... it changes everything. But Mom, you saw how he broke down today. He loves her. He's loved her for years. And that little boy upstairs is a Prescott. He's our family."
Rebecca exhaled slowly, her voice quieter than Ivy expected.
"I'm not blind, Ivy. I saw the way Jesse looked at her even before today.
The way he defended her, the way he couldn't hide his pain when she was in danger.
I'm... not entirely surprised. But understanding and accepting are two different things. "
She finally took a sip of coffee, then continued, her tone measured.
"I'm worried, Ivy. The family's reputation.
.. the Prescott name has always been about strength, tradition, and control.
This... this situation is messy. A secret three-year relationship, a baby that isn't Alexander's, Harper's breakdown, the attack on Alexander.
.. the press will have a field day if any of this leaks.
We've already lost your grandfather. I don't want to lose the respect we've built over decades. "
Ivy reached across the table and gently took her mother's hand.
"I know you're worried about the family image.
But right now, that doesn't matter as much as the people we love.
That baby is a Prescott, he's ours. Emery is his mother, and she's been kind and strong through everything we've thrown at her.
Jesse loves her. He's finally fighting for her.
We can't tear them apart because of how it looks. "
Rebecca was silent for a long moment, staring into her coffee. When she spoke again, her voice was tired but softer than Ivy had anticipated.
"I'm not entirely okay with this," she admitted.
"It's going to be difficult to explain. Alexander will have to navigate a divorce or an annulment.
The public story will need careful handling.
But... I'm not blind to the pain in this family either.
Harper has lost her daughter because of her own choices.
Alexander never truly wanted this marriage.
And Jesse... I've never seen him love anyone the way he loves her. "
She squeezed Ivy's hand lightly. "I'm not approving it yet. But I'm not going to stand in the way of my grandson having a mother and father who actually love each other. We'll figure out the rest later. Right now... we focus on Emery and the baby surviving."
Ivy's eyes filled with relieved tears. "Thank you, Mom. That's all I'm asking for right now."
Rebecca gave her a small, weary nod. "Go check on your brother. He needs you. I'll stay here a little longer."
Ivy stood up, leaned down to kiss her mother's cheek, and left the cafe.
Rebecca remained seated, staring into her coffee, the weight of the family's secrets pressing down on her.
She wasn't fully on board.
But for the first time, she wasn't entirely against it either.
×××××××
The hospital corridor was tense with waiting when Harold Bramwell stormed in, Judith hurrying behind him and Camilla trailing at a distance. Harold's face was flushed with fury, his usually composed demeanor completely shattered.
"Where is she?" he demanded the moment he saw the family. "Where is my niece?"
Alexander stood up quickly, stepping forward to meet him. "She's in recovery, Harold. The surgery went as well as it could. The baby is in the NICU. A boy. He's stable but premature. They're monitoring both of them closely."
Harold's eyes blazed. "And Harper? That girl dragged my pregnant niece out of the house like an animal and put her and the baby in danger! I want her punished. I want her locked up!"
Alexander nodded grimly. "She will be. The police already took her into custody. She's facing assault and endangerment charges. We won't protect her from this. What she did was unforgivable."
Harold's fists were clenched at his sides. "Unforgivable is putting it lightly. Emery has been through enough because of this family. She sacrificed everything when Camilla ran away, and this is how she's repaid? I should have never asked her to step in."
Camilla, who had been hovering behind her parents, stepped forward with a soft, concerned expression. "Alexander... I came as soon as I heard. Are you alright? This must be so hard for you."
Alexander didn't even look at her. He turned his back coldly and continued speaking to Harold, completely ignoring her presence.
Jesse, who had been standing quietly near the wall, stepped forward. His voice was low but steady, carrying the weight of grief and exhaustion.
"Harold," he said, placing a hand on the older man's shoulder.
"I know you're furious. We all are. Harper crossed every line today.
But right now, Emery and the baby need us to stay calm.
She's fighting. The baby is fighting. Let's focus on them.
The police and the lawyers will handle Harper.
I give you my word, she won't get away with this. "
Harold looked at Jesse for a long moment, the younger man's calm presence slowly easing some of the fury in his eyes. He exhaled heavily and nodded.
"You're right," he said, voice still tight. "Emery and the child come first. But if anything happens to them because of that girl..."
"It won't," Jesse assured him quietly. "We won't let it."
Judith gently touched Harold's arm, guiding him toward the waiting area. Camilla tried once more to approach Alexander.
"Alexander, please... I just want to know if you're okay after everything that's happened."
Alexander walked past her without a glance, moving to sit beside Jesse. Camilla's face twisted with frustration and humiliation as she was left standing alone.
The family settled into an uneasy wait, the tension thick in the air. Harold sat with Judith, still simmering but calmer thanks to Jesse's words. Rebecca watched her son with new, uneasy eyes.
In the quiet of the waiting room, everyone held their breath, praying for good news from the recovery room.
×××××××
Jesse stood outside the NICU, heart hammering in his chest. The nurse had finally allowed him a short visit after he scrubbed in thoroughly.
He was now dressed in the full protective gear: light blue scrubs, a surgical mask, hair net, shoe covers, and gloves. His hands trembled slightly as the nurse led him to the incubator.
The moment he saw his son, the world narrowed to just the small glass box.
The baby was so tiny. So fragile. He lay inside the incubator under warm lights, tiny tubes and wires connected to his little body for breathing support and monitoring.
His chest rose and fell with short, rapid breaths. Dark, soft curls clung to his small head, and his tiny hands were clenched into fists as if fighting to stay strong.
Jesse's knees buckled. He sank down slowly in front of the incubator, gloved hands pressing flat against the warm glass.
"Baby..." he whispered, voice breaking behind the mask. "Emesse?"
The baby's eyes remained closed, his small face peaceful despite the machines helping him breathe.
Jesse's tears came fast and silent, slipping down his cheeks and disappearing into the fabric of the surgical mask.
"Emesse, I'm sorry," he whispered, forehead resting against the glass. "Daddy's so sorry... I couldn't protect you. I never thought Harper would go this far. I never imagined she'd hurt you and your mama like that. I should have been there. I should have stopped her."
His shoulders shook with quiet sobs. One gloved finger traced the outline of the baby's tiny hand through the glass.
"Please..." he begged, voice thick and desperate. "Please be okay, my love. Daddy loves you so much. I can't wait to hold you. I can't wait to tell you how much I wanted you... how much I already love you. Just fight a little longer, Emesse. Please fight for Mama and me."
Tears continued to fall, soaking the mask as Jesse stayed on his knees, forehead pressed to the incubator, whispering promises and apologies to his tiny son.
In that moment, the strong, protective man was completely broken, reduced to a father begging for his child's life.
The machines beeped steadily around them, the only sound accompanying Jesse's quiet, heartbroken cries.
×××××××